Structural unit



Oct. 6, 1931.

p. H. BITNEY STRUCTURAL mm Filed Aug. 16, 1929 Patented Oct. 6, 1931UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEWEY H. BITNEY, OF ALBION, MICHIGAN,ASSIGNOR TO UNION STEEL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF ALBION, MICHIGAN STRUCTURALUNIT Application filed August 16, 1929. Serial No. 386,282.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide a structuralunit by means of which pencil rods, furring strips, metal lathing andthe like may be effectively at- 5 tached to I beams and joists orstudding.

Second, to provide a structural unit of this character which providesspace between the supporting element and the edges of the beams, joists,studding or the like in which electric cables, pipes or conduits may belaid.

Third, to provide a structural unit of the class described which can bequickly attached to beams or structural elements having flanges varyingconsiderably in length.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention willdefinitely appear from the description to follow. The invention isdefined in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearlyillustrated in the ac companying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective View of one of my improvedstructural units, one of the supported elements being indicated bydotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section on a line corresponding to line 2-42. ofFig. 4 illustrating the structural unit in operative relation to aplurality of I beams or joists and to a supported element, thatillustrated be'in'g a pencil rod.

3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an inverted fragmentary view further illustrating the mannerof engaging the hooks with the supporting element.

In the accompanying drawings, 1 represents structural elements or beamsof I cross section. My improved structural unit comprises a longitudinalrod 2 which in practice is of substantial length and to which I secure aplurality of hangers or support engaging members 3 formed of wire anddisposed in transverse spaced relation on the longitudinal rod. Thesemembers are secured or fixed to the rod 2 by welding.

The members 3 are provided with hooks 4 at their upper ends, the hooksof alternate hangers being disposed in oppositely facing 5 relation sothat they may be engaged with opposite edges of the bottom flange of astruc-- tural element such as the I beams 1. The lower ends of thehangers are turned laterally providing attaching members 5 disposedlongitudinally of the supporting rod and in an upwardly inclinedrelation thereto so that an element to be supported, such as the pencilrod 6, may be engaged with the attaching members by springing theattaching members.

The metal lathing or furring strips, or other articles therebysupported, may be adapted to these pencil rods, or the pencil. rods maybe omitted and the element thereby supported attached direct to thehangers.

A further advantage resulting from the use of these structural units isthat space is provided below the beams 1 to receive electric cables asindicated at 7, or other pipes or conduits.

The hooks may be readily engaged with their support and the hangers areeasily engaged with the flanges or parts of supporting elements ofdifferent width, the longitudinal bars or the hangers being sprungsufficiently not only to permit engagement but to accommodate suchvariation in width.

I have illustrated and described my im provements in an enbodiment whichI have found very satisfactory. I have not attempted to illustrate ordescribe various adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed thisdisclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt thesame as may be desired.

Having thus described. my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. A structural unit comprising a longitudinal supporting rod, and aplurality of hangers disposed transversely thereof in spaced relationand fixedly secured thereto and having hooks at their upper ends adaptedto be engaged with the flange of a beamor like structural element, thehooks of adjacent hangers facing oppositely, said hangers havinglaterally turned portions at their lower ends disposed longitudinally ofthe rod and with their ends inclined towardthe rod providing attachingmembers which may be sprung to receive an element to be supported.

2. A structural unit comprising a longitudinal supporting rod, and aplurality of support engaging members fixed to said rod in spacedrelation to project at each side thereof and having books at one endengageahle with the flange of a beam or like structural element with thehooks of adjacent support engaging members disposed to engage oppositeedges of the supporting element, said support engaging members havinglaterally turned portions at their opposite ends disposed longitudinallyof the rod pro viding attaching members with which an ele ment to beattached may be engaged.

3. A structural unit comprising a longitudinal supporting rod, and aplurality of support engaging members fixed to said rod in spacedrelation to project at each side thereof and having books at one endengageable with the flange of a beam or like structural. element withthe hooks of adjacent support engaging members disposed to engageopposite edges of the supporting eleinent, said support engaging membershaving portions at their opposite ends providing attaching members foran element to be attached.

it. A structural unit comprising a longitudinal rod, and a plurality ofsupport engaging members fixed to said rod in spaced trans- \-erserelation thereto and having hooks at one end engageable with asupporting element. part of the hooks facing in one direction and theremainder in the opposite direction whereby the hooks may be engagedwith opposite edges of the suppm'ting element, the opposite ends of saidsupport engaging members constituting attaching members for an elementto be attached.

A structural element comprising a springable longitudinal supportingrod, and a plurality of hangers fixed in spaced relation transversely ofsaid rod and having hooks at their inner ends disposed with the hooks ofadjacent hangers facing in opposite directions and engageable withopposite edges of a structural element by springing the longitudinalrod, said hangers having attaching members at their outer ends.

6. A structural element comprising a s n'ingable longitudinal supportingrod, and a plurality of h angers fixed in spaced relation transverselyof said rod and having hooks at their inner ends disposed with the hooksof adjacent hangers facing in opposite directions and engageahle withopposite edges oi a structural element by springing the longitudinalrod.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

DEVEY H. BITNEY.

